The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-01-06
AN AMERICAN LORD.
Baron Stiegers Splendid Castle at
Shaefferstown, Pa.
Going Through Great tFOrtune-Festivities
That Always Marked HIS Arrival at
Thurm- Berg-Died an Obscure
Schoolmaster.

Schoolmaster.
Shaefferstown is little village lying
in the south of Lebanon County, Pa,
with no special significance attaching
to it. Nature has, however. surrounded
it with beauteous outlines of landscape,
and it nestles among hills. high and
low, as if it aspired to nothing more
than the sweet amenities of seclusion.
1t was originally settled by German
Jews. In the first years of the eigh-
teenth century they came here and, as
if by some prearranged understanding
of its great natural beauty and fitting
advantages, they built themselves
homes in the valley and became COM
munity of most peculiar people. The
accessions to this settlement became
numerous, until it had gained the repu-
tation far and wide Of being the most
unique and clannish colony that had
found a home in this land. The syna-
gogue that they built, and the para
phernalia of their imported rabbi, be-
came a great attraction to the outside
settlers, who often ventured into tho
worship of their Sabbath Day. In the
year 1889 they already had constructed
a graveyard, built in with heavy and
substantial stone wall. The remains of
it are pointed out to-day. About one
half mile south of Shaefferstown, close
to the Lancaster road. it rests in half
preserved but neglected state. The
most adhesive cement and most expert
masonry evidently were used, for the
wintry blasts of more than one hum
drcd and fifty years have not quite de-
stroyed this relic.
But sudden and extraordinary as was
the advent of this people, so was their
departure. 1t was almost like dream
of IL single night. As between sunrise
and sunset the new town was deserted
and no vestige of Israel remained save
the dead that lay on the hill. Then
Germans of another faith came-Luthe-
rams and German Reformed. among
whom was one Shaeffer, who, through
influence and wealth, became the pro-
prietor of the place, and also became
the father of the little town. In 1745 it
had no less than one hundred unassum-
ing little houses, several stores and
taverns, and in 1865 bell Of the Protest
ant faith rung out above stone church
whose tolfing has never ceased.
But another more interesting historic
cal fact gives dignity to the surround
ings of this place. There is lofty hill
that frowns with its grim heights upon
the little village from the south. 1t is
styled the "Thurm-Berg," or Tower
Hill. On that lofty eminence certain
William Henry Stiegel had erected a
tower, or castle, and certain phases OF
its ruins can be noticed this day. There
are those living who have a very cor
rect representation of the odd structure.
given them by former generations, but
in the absence of better history very
fantastic mass of legends concerning its
owner are extant. This German Baron
was, however, a most eccentric man.
He was altogether the most notorious
figure in all that region around. and the
many lavish and extraordinary expendi-
lures in business enterprises and in the
public qualification of his whims adver-
tised him in the great social and mer-
camille centers of the cities. He had a
most checkered career. He was a
Baron in Europe. In America he ap-
parently disrobed himself of the garb OF
titled gentleman and launched into
q busy life, spending money like q
prince. He became an iron-master,
glass manufacturer. and even for awhile
assumed the functions of preacher
when later, through the changed yicis
situdes of fortune, he acted the school
master. His life, in the full detail o
all its successes and adversities, itprodi
galities Of gayety and wealth and 1T
pinched reverses of sadness and poverty
would make one of the most interesting
romances in print.
Baron Stiegel had two magnificen
palaces. and perhaps three. There 1
little more known about him in the ira
ditions and histories Of ShaefferstowI
than belongs to his tower and to tn
sudden visits to it. That tower ma
have served him all the purposes OF q
abode while here. But at Mannheim. to-
miles south of this place. he had built
lbcsutiful mansion for himself. A littl
Hess than forty years ago the house wa
occupied by Mr.. John Arndt. and ther
q q no doubt butt is the same interestin
relic to-day that it was then. A visit
this house might then have given aver
ccrrcct insight into the .ukurisnt tast.
a this old nian. It Is very material
changed. but enough of the dScorstsol
~ breseryad to sstisfy the traveller tn
~ N ths State could be tow
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